Headcounts better than projected

VAS, J-L

October 02, 2002

Both districts' fourth Wednesday counts were higher than original fall 2002-2003 projections. Vanderbilt's count of 254 was nine more than the 245 projected for budgeting reasons and when calculated with the February count of 261, the district will receive state funding for 255 students - 10 more than the projected count of 245.

Funding is based on a blend of the February count, which determines 20 percent of a district's state-aid for 2002-2003, and 80 percent based on the fall count - which equals the amount of $6,700 received per full-time student from the state.

VAS Supt. Ellen Bonter said the higher-than-projected headcount means the district should be financially secure for 2002-2003. "Of course we would love to see these numbers increase to approximately 320 students."

J-L Supt. Jim Hilgendorf said the district's fall count of 868 students was 18 more than a projected count of 850 students and when blended with J-L's February count of 827, results in state-aid revenues for 2002-2003 based on 860 students - 10 more than the 850 projected.

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"I'm happy with our fall count of 868," Hilgendorf said of the modest growth experienced in the district. "We have had steady growth for the past several years. We had a larger kindergarten class than last year which makes up for our smaller numbers at the high school this year."

Individual buildings at J-L Schools reported these student numbers: Johannesburg K-8 - 301, up 19 from last fall's count of 282; Lewiston K-8 - 322, up 10 from 312; and J-L High School - 245, down 14 students from last falls count of 259 students. This year's fall count was 15 more than last year's count of 853.